The Ten Virgins

Representative Text

1 Ere that solemn hour of doom,
When the Son of man shall come,
Bidding quick and bidding dead
Rise to meet their risen Head,
Church of Jesus, hear the Word
Of thine own eternal Lord.

2 Virgins ten with joyous feet
Went the Bridegroom forth to meet;
Wise with heavenly wisdom, five
Kept with oil their lamps alive;
Five with earth-born folly dim
Scorned with oil their lamps to trim.

3 While the Bridegroom yet delayed,
Slumber bowed each virgin head;
Sudden rose the midnight cry—
Lo, the Bridegroom draweth nigh!
Leapt to life that virgin train,
Trimmed their dying lamps amain.

4 Vainly now for oil ye cry,
Foolish virgins, hence, and buy;
Fast thy speed—when lo! the door
Closes on them evermore:
Stern the voice which stuns each heart,
"Hence, I know you not, depart."

5 Church of Jesus, rise and pray,
Dark that hour, and nigh that day;
Woe, ye hypocrites, to you,
Trim your saints, your lamps anew;
For the Bridegroom watch and wait,
Jesus Christ is at the gate.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #11228

Author: William Dickinson

Dickinson, William, published in 1846:— Hymns for Passion Week and the Forty Days, Adapted for Churches or for Private Worship, Lond., J. Nisbet & Co., 1846. These hymns deal with such events in the history of Our Lord, as "The Alabaster Box"; "The Barren Fig Tree"; "The Cleansing of the Temple"; "The washing of the Disciples' feet," &c.; and with the Parables of "The Wedding garment"; "The Talents," &c, which are not commonly versified, and are worthy of attention. The following have come into common use:— 1. Calm'd each soul, and clos'd each door. Easterday at Even. This is in the Rugby School Hymn Book, 1876; and as "Calm they sit with closed door," in Kennedy, 1863; and Holy Song, 1869. 2. Ere that solemn hour of doom. The… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Ere that solemn hour of doom
Title: The Ten Virgins
Author: William Dickinson
Meter: 7.7.7.7.7.7
Source: Hymns for Passion Week and the Forty Days (London: J. Nisbet & Company, 1846)
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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The Cyber Hymnal #11228
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The Cyber Hymnal #11228

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